Highland transport strategy must reconcile local realities and government demands as the council calls for views
Highland Council will have to walk a tightrope trying to balance local realities with government demands as it launches a call for local views on what should be in a 10 year transport strategy.
The council says the strategy will cover “all aspects” of transport including roads, walking, wheeling, cycling, public and community transport, ferries, aviation, freight, as well as the safety and resilience of the transport network.
The Highlands has been blighted in recent years by the failure of major road upgrades, a crumbling local road network, lack of affordable, reliable and fast rail services.
The strategy could be a rerun of the divisive battle over Academy Street that saw active travel pitched against vehicle travel and local traders - though councillors did promise to learn from the debacle that was found to be illegal.
The draft plan does not as yet include details of regional or local transport projects, infrastructure, or services as those details will be developed once elected members have approved the new strategy.
But all that will have to “align with broader” local planning, economic development, and environmental policies as well as health initiatives and Scottish national and regional strategies.
Chief among those policies is the National Transport Strategy (NTS2) which established the Sustainable Travel Hierarchy prioritising walking and wheeling; then cycling; then public transport, taxis and shared transport; and finally the private car.
That in turn leads to the Sustainable Investment Hierarchy – reducing the need to travel unsustainably, maintaining and safely operating existing assets; making better use of existing capacity and targeted infrastructure improvements.
The problem in the Highlands is the total absence of public transport in some areas – including some parts of Inverness in recent days – combined with larger than average distances to reach services. This is something recognised in NTS2.
The chairman of the council’s economy and infrastructure committee Ken Gowans recognises the twin challenges of reconciling the local realities versus with the policy obligations.
He said: “Highland faces significant transport challenges because of our huge geographical area and scattered population. Of course, the private car will continue to play a crucial role for many people.
“However, a shift away from single occupancy car trips to lift sharing, community transport, public transport, walking, wheeling and cycling will help to reduce carbon emissions, reduce congestion, support good physical and mental health, help household budgets, and increase travel independence for all, including those who do not or cannot drive.”
For now the public are asked to get involved with what they think would like to see Highland transport look like or else deliver.
Head of roads and infrastructure Tracey Urry, added: “In our daily lives, we all need to get to different places for work, education, socialising, accessing healthcare and other services.
“The vision of the draft Local Transport Strategy is that our communities, businesses and visitors in Highland will be served by a low carbon transport system that is sustainable, inclusive, safe, resilient and accessible.
“That means aiming to reduce emissions from transport, to improve walking, wheeling and cycling choices, to improve public and shared transport options and to invest in the safety, maintenance and resilience of the transport system.”
